About this Research Topic
In the era of COVID-19, many people have suffered high levels of stress and mental health problems. To cope with the widespread of suffering (physical, psychological, social, and economical) the positive psychology of personal happiness is no longer the sole approach to examine personal wellbeing. Other approaches such as Viktor Frankl’s theory of self-transcendence provide a promising framework for research and intervention on how to achieve resilience, wellbeing, and happiness through overcoming suffering and self-transcendence. The existential positive psychology of suffering complements the positive psychology of happiness, which is championed by Martin Seligman, as two equal halves of the circle of wellbeing and optimal mental health.
This Research Topic aims to examine the different approaches to Positive Psychology and their influence on individual wellbeing during the COVID-19 era. One of the exciting development in the positive psychology of wellbeing is the mounting research on the adaptive benefits of negative emotions, such as shame, guilt, and anger, as well as the dialectical process of balancing negative and positive emotions. As an example, based on all the empirical research and Frankl’s self-transcendence model, Wong has developed the existential positive psychology of suffering (PP2.0) as the foundation for flourishing. Here are a few main tenets of PP2.0: (1) Life is suffering and a constant struggle throughout every stage of development, (2) The search for self-transcendence is a primary motive guided by the meaning mindset and mindful mindset. (3) Wellbeing cannot be sustainable without overcoming and transforming suffering.
In this Research Topic we welcome diverse approaches discussing the following points:
• The dialectic process of overcoming the challenges of every stage of development as necessary for personal growth and self-transcendence;
• The role of self-transcendence in resilience, virtue, meaning, and happiness;
• The upside of negative emotions;
• The new science of resilience based on cultivating the resilient mindset and character;
• How to make the best use of suffering to achieve out potentials & mental health.
***Due to the exceptional nature of the COVID-19 situation, Frontiers is waiving all article publishing charges for COVID-19 related research in this Research Topic. Please be aware that only manuscripts submitted by 31 December 2020 will be considered ***
This Research Topic aims to examine the different approaches to Positive Psychology and their influence on individual wellbeing during the COVID-19 era. One of the exciting development in the positive psychology of wellbeing is the mounting research on the adaptive benefits of negative emotions, such as shame, guilt, and anger, as well as the dialectical process of balancing negative and positive emotions. As an example, based on all the empirical research and Frankl’s self-transcendence model, Wong has developed the existential positive psychology of suffering (PP2.0) as the foundation for flourishing. Here are a few main tenets of PP2.0: (1) Life is suffering and a constant struggle throughout every stage of development, (2) The search for self-transcendence is a primary motive guided by the meaning mindset and mindful mindset. (3) Wellbeing cannot be sustainable without overcoming and transforming suffering.
In this Research Topic we welcome diverse approaches discussing the following points:
• The dialectic process of overcoming the challenges of every stage of development as necessary for personal growth and self-transcendence;
• The role of self-transcendence in resilience, virtue, meaning, and happiness;
• The upside of negative emotions;
• The new science of resilience based on cultivating the resilient mindset and character;
• How to make the best use of suffering to achieve out potentials & mental health.
***Due to the exceptional nature of the COVID-19 situation, Frontiers is waiving all article publishing charges for COVID-19 related research in this Research Topic. Please be aware that only manuscripts submitted by 31 December 2020 will be considered ***
Keywords: Positive psychology, existential positive psychology, resilience, suffering, flourishing, Viktor Frankl, self-transcendence, spirituality, religion, positive change, mental health, personal wellbeing, wellbeing
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
